Welcome to Season 12, Episode 15 of the Unconventional Preview, a serious yet lighthearted, nostalgia-tinted look at the Patriots’ weekly matchup . . .
The Patriots are eight games below .500 with three to play. They are one of six teams to be eliminated from playoff contention, having achieved that lowly designation in Week 14.
This game has meaning to coach Sean Payton and the Broncos, who are 7-7 and in the thick of the wild-card hunt after an 0-3 start that included a 70-20 pasting by the Dolphins in Week 3.